Singer-Songwriter/Artist Rankings of the 1980s [2026]
The 1980s were an era when artists like Eiichi Ohtaki, Miyuki Nakajima, and Shinji Tanimura—names even younger people may have heard—were active.
Here, we’re introducing songs by singer-songwriters from the 1980s, including those artists.
What kind of music did singer-songwriters from the bubble era create?
Playlist
| Singer-Songwriter/Artist Rankings of the 1980s [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | The Last Holy NightSugiyama Kiyotaka |  play_arrow | Kiyotaka Sugiyama’s hit song used in multiple commercials |
| 2 | Ruby RingTerao Akira |  play_arrow | Released in February 1981, Akira Terao’s so... |
| 3 | Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | Christmas Eve, a bittersweet love song |
| 4 | stationTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | A movie about unexpectedly running into an old lover at a train station at twilight... |
| 5 | foreignerKUBOTA Saki |  play_arrow | Debut released in October 1979… |
| 6 | First loveMurashita Kōzō |  play_arrow | It could be called a quintessential unrequited-love song of the Showa era: Mura… |
| 7 | Sentimental ChristmasHamada Shogo |  play_arrow | Shogo Hamada’s winter masterpiece, a heartwarming singing voice |
| 8 | MissingKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota’s heartrending ballad that sings of deep love. |
| 9 | I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka |  play_arrow | In 1991, with Yutaka Ozaki’s 11th single... |
| 10 | There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the clumsiness of youth and the hope it holds |
| 11 | loveMatsuyama Chiharu |  play_arrow | This piece, known as one of Chiharu Matsuyama’s signature songs, is... |
| 12 | Love Song of LumMatsutani Yūko |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of first love |
| 13 | Friday ChinatownYasuha |  play_arrow | A classic gem of exotic charm from the Showa-era Chinatown |
| 14 | My RevolutionWatanabe Misato |  play_arrow | Song of Courage to Take a New Step Forward |
| 15 | SOMEDAYSano Motoharu |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the brilliance and hope of youth, Motoharu Sano |
| 16 | You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi |  play_arrow | Eiichi Ohtaki’s classic: a bittersweet yearning for love |
| 17 | Summer HornsInagaki Junichi |  play_arrow | Released in 1983, this work is urban and so... |
| 18 | My lover is Santa ClausMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | Spend time with a loved one with Christmas songs |
| 19 | Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceSakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | Theme song of the film 'Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence' |
| 20 | Make it a slow boogie (I want you)Minami Yoshitaka |  play_arrow | Singer-songwriter Yoshitaka Minami, 19… |
| 21 | CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi |  play_arrow | Moving masterpieces that color life's milestones |
| 22 | Merry Xmas to youOda Kazumasa |  play_arrow | Kazumasa Oda’s classic song “Christmas Song” |
| 23 | Equator Girl: Dokki!Yamashita Kumiko |  play_arrow | Queen of the Sun, Summer Love, a Technopop Masterpiece |
| 24 | Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki |  play_arrow | With a distinctive high-tone voice and lyrical singing... |
| 25 | Forbidden Rouge MagicImagawa Kiyoshiro + Sakamoto Ryuichi |  play_arrow | The groundbreaking collaborative track by Kiyoshiro Imawano and Ryuichi Sakamoto |
| 26 | Words of FarewellKaientai |  play_arrow | A classic by Kaientai, singing of heartbreak and the depths of love. |
| 27 | And then I’m at a lossŌsawa Yoshiyuki |  play_arrow | A masterpiece widely known as one of the signature songs of the Showa era... |
| 28 | Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako |  play_arrow | Cheering on a new beginning with Takako Okamura’s song |
| 29 | You can do it!Nakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | A powerful anthem cheering you on as you take a new step |
| 30 | Women Who Fall in Love in SummerOhnuki Taeko |  play_arrow | Taeko Onuki’s urban 1980s love songs |
| 31 | In the Middle of a DreamKisugi Takao |  play_arrow | With parting and reunion as its theme, a man and woman living in the city... |
| 32 | Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki |  | Skillfully wielding high-tone vocals and falsetto... |
| 33 | My loverGorin Mayumi |  play_arrow | A trembling of the heart as I think of a precious person I can no longer see. |
| 34 | Let’s get married.yoshida takurou |  play_arrow | Folk songs in the Japanese music scene... |
| 35 | ANGELHimuro Kyosuke |  play_arrow | Kyosuke Himuro’s sa… released in July 1988 |
| 36 | Ro-Ro-Ro-Russian RouletteNakahara Meiko |  play_arrow | An anime about a beautiful duo active in a future world. |
| 37 | Riverside HotelInoue Yosui |  play_arrow | An 80s drama theme song, a bewitching, mature love song |
| 38 | X’mas PartyHarada Shinji |  play_arrow | Shinji Harada’s Christmas song depicts scenes of the city. |
| 39 | CHRISTMAS CHORUSKomuro Tetsuya |  play_arrow | Tetsuya Komuro’s heartwarming masterpiece that echoes on a winter night |
| 40 | While shining…Tokunaga Hideaki |  play_arrow | HIDEAKI TOKUNAGA’s youthful classic “Love” |
| 41 | Come back.Matsumura Kazuko |  play_arrow | Kazuko Matsumura makes a noteworthy debut in enka |
| 42 | WaveKadamatsu Toshiki |  play_arrow | An '80s ballad that evokes the end of summer |
| 43 | bullfighterChar |  play_arrow | Char, one of Japan’s most iconic guitarists, ... |
| 44 | DOWN TOWNEPO |  play_arrow | It was even used as the theme song for 'Oretachi Hyokin-zoku'... |
| 45 | The winter townSION |  play_arrow | A track included on Sion’s 3rd album |
| 46 | Mary Janetsunoda☆hiro |  play_arrow | A classic song depicting an unforgettable love |
| 47 | Sachikobanba hirofumi |  play_arrow | Hirofumi Bamba is from the folk group “Banba… |
| 48 | White Winterfuki no tō |  play_arrow | The shifting of autumn to winter and the sorrow of heartbreak |
| 49 | I knew it—I love you.yashiki takajin |  play_arrow | A Kansai-dialect breakup song, a timeless track that resonates with the heart |
| 50 | A hill where summer begins to showDaisuke |  play_arrow | Refreshing, heart-stirring music of summer |
| 51 | Strawberry Statement Once Againbanban |  play_arrow | As a work that reflects the sentiments of youth and the spirit of the times... |
| 52 | To say goodbyebiriibanban |  play_arrow | Banban masterpiece, a song of farewell and resolve |
| 53 | Sad Colors, huh? ~ OSAKA BAY BLUESUeda Masaki |  play_arrow | A masterpiece where you can fully feel the charm of good old songs… |
| 54 | Harmony at the End of SummerInoue Yosui & Anzen Chitai |  play_arrow | A legendary duet by Koji Tamaki and Yosui Inoue |
| 55 | Island in SeptemberIse Shozo |  play_arrow | Masakazu Ise’s autumn classic, shining with a poignant sensibility |
| 56 | Goodbye PatternItō Toshihiro |  play_arrow | I used to listen to this song back when I was working as a JNR employee… |
| 57 | If I could become the winditō ginji |  play_arrow | Representative of the early days of Ginji Ito’s solo career… |
| 58 | Rainbow Sea LineSato Hiroshi |  play_arrow | This work, which sings of a yearning for the far reaches of the sea and sky, … |
| 59 | night after nightKurahashi Yoeko |  play_arrow | Yoeko Kurahashi’s “Yona Yona Yona,” a song that stirs the heart |
| 60 | Dream FlowerEn Hiroshi |  play_arrow | Hiroshi Madoka, who is still active as a TV personality... |
| 61 | Be my bride.Kayama Yūzō |  play_arrow | Yuzo Kayama’s classic song set against the sea |
| 62 | Sometimes, old storiesKatō Tokiko |  play_arrow | Tokiko Kato’s classic song that sings of life |
| 63 | Love, my deepest apologies for troubling you when you are so busy.Harayuko |  play_arrow | Haruko Hara’s classic, loved across generations |
| 64 | Just a JokeKokubu Yurie |  play_arrow | City pop, a classic song that sings about the pain of heartbreak |
| 65 | memory glasseshorie atsushi |  play_arrow | "Memory Glass" was released in 1981 and... |
| 66 | Katsushika RhapsodyDōjima Kōhei |  play_arrow | The local theme song from the anime “Kochikame” |
| 67 | To each their own.Ōe Senri |  play_arrow | Released in 1984, now more than 30 years later... |
| 68 | If I can see you in my dreamsOhtaki Eiichi |  play_arrow | A heartrending melody and a tightening in the chest… |
| 69 | Brave RaideenShimon Masato |  play_arrow | Guardian of the great sky, the song of a hero of justice |
| 70 | It’s such a buzzkill.Kozaka Tadashi |  play_arrow | This song, known as a classic of Showa-era kayōkyoku (Japanese pop), … |
| 71 | Memory PillowKosaka Kyoko |  play_arrow | A classic song that portrays the pain of heartbreak and lingering memories, sung with Kyoko Kosaka’s clear, translucent voice. |
| 72 | youKozaka Akiko |  play_arrow | A timeless song about bittersweet pure love that touches listeners deep in their hearts... |
| 73 | Farewell, youthogura kei |  play_arrow | Kiyoshi Ogura’s renowned masterpiece, a song that accompanies youth |
| 74 | Azure NocturneOzaki Ami |  play_arrow | Stirring, piano-centered emotional music |
| 75 | Orie’s SongYamazaki Hako |  play_arrow | A moving enka song with lyrics by Hiroyuki Itsuki, sung by Hako Yamasaki. |
| 76 | The morning I had forgottenYamamoto Junko |  play_arrow | July 1971 of Fork Group Akai Tori’s… |
| 77 | X’ mas in the BlueYamamoto Emi |  play_arrow | A hit song from the 80s, a famous piece by Hidemi Yamamoto. |
| 78 | Photographs of SeptemberYamamoto Tatsuhiko |  play_arrow | Tatsuhiko Yamamoto’s classic autumn song that sings of a bittersweet love. |
| 79 | 1/2Kawamoto Makoto |  play_arrow | The masterpiece opening theme of Rurouni Kenshin |
| 80 | Flying to IstanbulShōno Mayoyo |  play_arrow | A classic with exotic flair, expressing the fleeting nature of love |
| 81 | Vacations are always rainySugi Mari |  play_arrow | The light tones of the synthesizer and a catchy... |
| 82 | Message of RougeMatsutoya Yumi |  play_arrow | Showa-era classics are capturing attention again. |
| 83 | BAN BAN BANKuwata Keisuke |  play_arrow | KUW...'s music is characterized by a pop sound and bittersweet lyrics. |
| 84 | Sugarcane fieldMoriyama Ryoko |  play_arrow | Known as a classic that colored the Showa-era pop music scene… |
| 85 | youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran |  play_arrow | Graduation season: the struggles and memories of youth |
| 86 | Our FailureMorita Doji |  play_arrow | Morita Doji’s masterpiece, a sound that resonates in the heart |
| 87 | They are lovers.Moritaka Chisato |  play_arrow | 1st Pocari Sweat Image Girl Con... |
| 88 | Merry Christmas SnowKusunose Seishiro |  play_arrow | A classic Christmas song, its warm vocals touch the heart |
| 89 | Lonely ChristmasMariko Nagai |  play_arrow | A classic song about the loneliness of Christmas |
| 90 | Graduationsawada shouko |  play_arrow | Shoko Sawada's 'Graduation': The Bittersweet Feelings of Graduation |
| 91 | Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo |  play_arrow | A profound洞 into the subtleties of miscommunication between men and women and the nuances of emotional expression… |
| 92 | Message of RougeArai Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic by Yumi Arai, an iconic song of love and growth |
| 93 | Demon-Counting SongKarashima Midori |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that resonates with Midori Karashima’s cold despair |
| 94 | Singin’ In The SnowNoda Mikiko |  play_arrow | Budding feelings of first love in a Christmas song |
| 95 | The Woman in the DunesSuzuki Shigeru |  play_arrow | Set on a winter seashore, on a sandy beach where wind and snow intertwine... |
| 96 | The Summer That Vanished Beyond the GlassSuzuki Masayuki |  play_arrow | Masayuki Suzuki sings of a summer farewell in his debut solo single. |
| 97 | Saravah!Takahashi Yukihiro |  play_arrow | A singer-songwrit… who represents Japanese new wave |
| 98 | She and TIP ON DUOImai Miki |  | Miki Imai’s 4th single, “Kanojo to T… |
| 99 | If the spring wind is blowingyoshida takurou/ yoshida keiko |  play_arrow | The original, released in June 1973… |
| 100 | Not For SaleTanimura Yumi |  play_arrow | This person has also had a long, enduring career in music... |